India’s First School of Logistics, Waterways, and Communication

India’s first School of Logistics, Waterways, and Communication was launched in Agartala. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Dr. Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Tripura, jointly inaugurated the school. The school aims to enable the rich pool of talent in the region to become world-class experts in the transportation and logistics sector.

Unlocking the Economic Potential of the Northeast

The school is set up under the State Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (SIPARD) and will facilitate in conducting studies/research, training, workshops/seminars for stakeholders like businesses, exporters/importers, Chambers of Commerce and Industries, local entrepreneurs, tourist operators, etc. The school will be enabling the innate capacity of human resources along the opulent waterways of the region. In order to unlock the promised economic potential of the Northeast, this school will play an important role.

Reviving Inland Waterways

Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has been taking all the necessary steps to power the engine of the new India, the Northeast, to reach its maximum potential. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has been working towards reviving the complex inland waterways system in order to propel cargo and passenger transport in the region. Apart from being a swift, clean & affordable means of transport, the waterways open a new ray of hope for growth of trade with the international market. The deeper, longer & wider network of inland waterways will not only decongest and reduce carbon footprints, but it also has the potential to generate significant economic activities and boost international trade in the region.

Investment in National Waterways

In order to comprehensively develop National Waterways (NW) 16 (Barak) and the IBP Route nos. 5 & 6 and 9 & 10, for smooth connectivity within & from the region, the investment to this effect has now been enhanced to Rs 148 crores till 2024-25. Under the PM Gati Shakti initiative, multi-modal connectivity, Tripura is to be connected through IBP route 9 & 10 with Kolkata/Haldia Port and then on to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh & Sittwe Port in Myanmar. In order to revamp the international trade between Northeast India and Bangladesh, the waterways play a crucial role, said Sonowal.

Indo-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade

The two countries have renewed and strengthened the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade that outlines new measures to facilitate the inland water trade, develop infrastructure and improve cross-country transport and logistics facilities. In addition to the existing 6 ports of call, five additional ports of call and two extended ports of call on each side have been agreed along with a longer period of 5 years (against the 2 year validity earlier) for protocol renewal. The Government of India is providing financial assistance under the Central Sector Scheme for development of Inland Waterway in the Northeast including Tripura.

Equipping Entrepreneurs with Professional Training

The newly inaugurated school in Agartala will equip entrepreneurs with professional training to become experts in global transportation and logistics. The school of Logistics, Waterways, and Communication will play a crucial role in empowering the region’s human resources to become experts in the transportation and logistics sector, thus unlocking the economic potential of the Northeast.

Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs